Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav welcomed a High Court verdict declaring the Bhojshala complex in Dhar a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati.

The ruling resolves a long-standing dispute over the religious character of the site. By establishing the complex as a Hindu temple and a Sanskrit learning center, the court has fundamentally altered the legal status of the monument.

The High Court delivered the verdict on May 15, 2026 [1]. The court held that the site's religious character is that of a Hindu temple and a Sanskrit learning center associated with Raja Bhoj. This decision overturns a 2003 Archaeological Survey of India order that had permitted prayers of other faiths at the location.

Chief Minister Yadav said he expressed happiness that the court acknowledged the site was indeed Bhojshala. He said the state would work to return the Maa Saraswati idol to the complex.

"On my own behalf, I welcome this verdict and extend my congratulations to the people of the country," Yadav said.

The ruling sparked celebrations among Hindus in Dhar. Yadav said the decision was a significant moment for the cultural heritage of the region.

"This is a significant moment for our cultural heritage," Yadav said.

The Chief Minister said the court's acknowledgment of the site's identity as Bhojshala was a victory for historical accuracy. The state government intends to use the ruling as a basis for the restoration of the site's original religious purpose.

“I express my happiness that the Court has acknowledged that this site was indeed Bhojshala.”

This verdict shifts the legal control of the Bhojshala complex from a multi-faith shared space to a dedicated Hindu site. By overturning the 2003 ASI order, the court has prioritized historical claims of the site's origin as a center of learning under Raja Bhoj over previous administrative compromises aimed at maintaining communal harmony.